This a small, rigid cigar box made by the La Palina De Luxe cigars company. The exterior is largely orange with borders over every edge and the inside of the lid depicts a woman of Spanish descent in traditional garb. The bottom of the box carries archaic warnings and listings of where the cigars were packed, banded and examined. The lid of the box says "La Palina De Luxe" and the top left corner reads "10¢ Ideals" The border around all of the box reads "La Palina De Luxe" on a red ribbon outlined in golden. The front of the box says "La Palina De Luxe Ideals" On either side, there is a picture of the woman with a seal on either side with the name of the company below her. The back of the box is plain. The bottom reads "Quality Cigar" and below it outlined in a box: "Factory No. 826 1st Dist. of Pa. Notice - The manufacturers of the cigars herein contained have complied with all the requirements of law. Every person is cautioned not to use either this box for cigars again, or the stamp thereon again, nor to remove the contents of this box without destroying said stamp, under the penaltied provided for by law in such cases. Congress Cigar Co., Inc. New York, N.Y." In another box, it says"The cigars herein contained were manufactured to retail at more than eight cents each and not more than fifteen cents each and are so taxpaid"

Paulina Franks' grandfather, John Rassogianis, came to Chicago in the 1890s. He began his life in the new city by peddling fruits and later, with the help of his sons Alex and George, would open a candy store. In the 1920s Paulina Franks' father Constantine became a part of the family business and the store was able to prosper. When the second business closed Paulina Rassogianis chose to hold as many of the candy store's items as possible and, later, donate them to the National Hellenic Museum.

The Rassogianis family began their candy business in Chicago proper, working out of their own shop named "St. Louis Ice Cream Parlor." Eventually, the shop was closed and the Rassogianis' chose to continue their candy store venture in Berwyn, Illinois. The new shop they chose to open was named Alex's Sweet Shop.

Paulina Franks' father was a key contributor to the success of the Rassogianis candy stores. While Constantine Rassogianis was a noteworthy entrepeneur, he also had many other accomplishments. Among these was his four years of involvment in the Greek national military during World War I wherein he obtained the rank of sergeant. Also, he was a published author and poet, an experienced mandolin player, a church officer and had extensive knowledge of psalti.

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